SERMON XVII.

HEBREWS III. 1.

WHEREFORE, HOLY BRETHREN, PARTAKERS OF THE HEAVENLY CALLING, CONSIDER THE APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST OF OUR PROFESSION, CHRIST JESUS.

WHEN we rise from the contemplation of the character of Jesus, it is with a mixture of transport and of despair; of transport at finding that such immaculate excellence was embodied and exhibited in a human form, and despair lest it should be impossible to imitate it in the present mixed condition of human life. I know not how any man can take up any one of the Gospels and read it through, without feeling that there is something supernatural about the character of Jesus, without catching, at intervals, a glimpse of that divinity which seems to encircle him, or perceiving the truth and nature of the Centurion's exclamation, when he heard the last expression which escaped from the lips of the dying Savior, "Truly, this was the Son of God."

The moral character of Jesus is distinguished from that of every other teacher upon record by this peculiar circumstance, that it united excellences which are usually thought irreconcilable, or which are very rarely found conjoined in any individual. Endowed, as he was, with power which was calculated to impress beholders with the most reverential awe, he united with this a familiarity

which admitted, on easy terms of communication, all the grades and classes of society. He knew how to effect, also, that rare union of zeal with candor, which we seek in vain in other celebrated reformers. He combined, too, the utmost activity with a prudence which never deserted him, and irresistible power with unassuming gentleness. Look at his character from one point of view, and you would think he was formed only to suffer; from another, and he appears destined only to act. He was sensible of his high character and pretensions, yet meek and gentle and unresisting. Though he abated not from the rigor of his Father's requisitions, yet he was the preacher of a religion which offers relief to the burdened and succor to the miserable. In one word, he brought together in his character the utmost perfection of opposite, I might almost say, incompatible excellences.

To dwell upon the character of Jesus is the delight of every Christian, not merely because it confirms his faith, but because it has a salutary effect upon his own character and disposition; and those advanced Christians, who have satisfied themselves of the historical truth of Christianity, repose afterwards upon their original convictions, while their faith is continually strengthening itself, not merely by time and habit, but by those irresistible impressions which are made by a frequent and diligent reading of the New Tes

tament.

It was no small part of the great design of God, when he interposed to reveal himself among men by his Son, to give us a living, visible specimen of human nature, such as it may become, when the operation of the gospel has its full influence. Hence it is a remarkable circumstance in the character of Jesus, that, though he was so intimately

united with God, and had power committed to him in heaven and in earth, his example is, in every moral respect, strictly practicable. It is an example to men in every condition. It teaches us how to live on earth, as well as to prepare ourselves for heaven. In every useful point of view it is accommodated to the imitation of com

mon men.

It is my intention, in this discourse, to consider what may be called the practicableness of our Lord's example; that is, its practicableness as an example of social virtue held up to the imitation of such beings as we are.

In the first place, consider how completely this example would be marred and rendered ineffectual, or even dangerous, if the most piercing scrutiny had discovered a single stain in the character of Jesus; I do not say if such a stain had really existed, but even if it had seemed from the narrations, that there was anything which wore the appearance of immorality. The difficulty would be insuperable, even supposing it to arise merely from some defect in our knowledge of the circumstances of the case. We should labor under a burden which nothing could remove; because it might be said, that no Christian was obliged to follow a master, as divine, who had discovered a deficiency in that purity which he had made the object of his religion. In this respect, as in many others, the character of Christ remains eternally distinguished from that of any other teacher in the history of the world. It is not merely from the accounts of his friends, that we venture to make this assertion, but it is conceded even by his enemies. In all the busy murmurs of history about the characters of men, not a whisper can be distinguished which calumniates the Founder of our faith. Compare with this the character of Socrates, who,

great and good as he was, and often as he is made the theme of philosophical declamation and impertinent comparison with Jesus, was more than suspected of indulging in some of the fashionable vices of his age and country. And the divine Plato is not more clear of imputations. Need I mention the character of Mahomet, the privilege, which he claimed, of peculiar indulgence, his notorious sensuality, as well as his personal ambition? This list might be enlarged, if it were necessary, by the names of the most eminent philosophers of antiquity.

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The singular usefulness of the example of our Savior appears, secondly, in this, that his whole life, as far as we are acquainted with it, was a life of active and substantial goodness. All his purposes were benevolent, all his practice disinterested. If he had not had it expressly in view, to exemplify the great precept of his religion, that no man liveth to himself, he might have merely declared the purpose of his mission and confirmed it by some splendid miracles. If it had not been one great part of his mediation, to leave us a perfect character of goodness, why should he have led such a laborious life of kindness? never wrought a miracle without some gracious effect or moral purpose. He was indefatigable in relieving the real wants of men, in curing those diseases which human art could not reach, in assuaging their most distressing sorrows, in restoring to them their most essential comforts, as well as, in some instances, administering to their convenience and contributing to their pleasures. He does not merely tell them what they ought to do; he does not content himself with merely reproaching them for their sins and railing at their ignorance, but he does all in his power to instruct, in the most condescending, and to correct, in

the gentlest manner, their unfortunate prejudices. Whatever period we assign to our Savior's ministry, it was a space crowded with acts of essential goodness.

I will proceed now to mention some of the traits in the character of Jesus, which bear upon the main subject which I would keep in view, the practicableness of his example.

His conversation and conduct are complete specimens of what may be called coolness and soundness of mind, qualities indispensably necessary in one who would do good to the best effect, without defeating his own purposes by precipitancy, or endangering his life by imprudence. He discovers, at all times, a disposition to avoid dangers, where it was consistent with his duty; but he encounters the most dreadful hazards, when the destination of his Heavenly Father made it necessary for the accomplishment of his purposes. He does not, like a rash enthusiast, throw himself in the way of persecution; for, in many places of his history, we find him withdrawing himself from the pressure of the multitude and the observation of his enemies, when such an exposure would have precipitated the fatal catastrophe which he had constantly in view. He escapes, with the utmost prudence, from the ensnaring questions of the rulers; and does not, in the heat or the pride of his commission, permit himself to be embroiled in a controversy or a tumult. His replies are always judicious, his courage is perfectly sedate and without the least symptom of timidity. It is also plain, that his boldness is not the effect of passion. In short, he displays that very temper which he, who would do any great and singular good in a difficult world, must possess.

It is often the misfortune of those who have the most